Is a Real Estate Career Right for You?

Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding if a real estate career is right for you.

Undoubtedly you’ve moved a few times in life; sometimes as a kid, sometimes in college, and perhaps even a few times as an adult. Have you ever watched your real estate agent seemingly glide through the process with everything under control, your home being shown in its best light, or the homes you’ve been to when buying that look so perfect they could be in a magazine? And suddenly it crosses your mind. You could do this kind of work and it looks like fun. But really, what makes a good realtor, and do you have the skills to do it?

Be Outgoing

One of the first and most important aspects of being a real estate agent is about being friendly and outgoing; not afraid to talk to other people whether they’re clients, associates, or colleagues. This doesn’t mean you need to be the center of attention the whole time, but standing timidly in the corner of the room not making connections with your peers won’t get you very far in this business. In fact, having the ability to charm those around you is a valuable skill when it comes to real estate. Bringing that special panache that puts clients at ease and makes them feel like they’re with a friend, not a robot, is key when dealing with anyone in your circle of influence be they appraisers, contractors, financiers, or what have you. If you’re not that extroverted, it is, fortunately, a skill that can be learned. There are books, videos, and classes made for people trying to improve their people skills. These materials are easily accessible on the internet at any price range. So if you feel like your social skills are a little lacking, something can be done!

Have an Excellent Work Ethic

Having the drive to complete a transaction from start to finish with the customer’s goals in mind is paramount to being a good real estate agent. Your work ethic will show your client that you have the ambition and drive to make their experience a good one, and one that will ultimately lead to a successful outcome. As a realtor, your strong work ethic will ensure that each and every opportunity is not missed and that the client is not only satisfied with your efforts on their behalf but is impressed with the amount of work you put into the completion of their real estate deal. The work ethic you exhibit through every transaction will pay dividends as your client base grows through recommendations and new clients who’ve heard about what you can do for them from the first initial meeting to the signing of the final papers.

Be Sharp and Aware of New Tech

A punctual, well-organized, agent with some technological background can make all the difference between one who isn’t prepared for a meeting, and continually says “I’ll have to get back to you on that.” Being tech-savvy and up to date on the latest technology is a big plus when considering a career in real estate. But, don’t worry. They have classes for that, too.

Learn as Much as You Can and Get Certified

While real estate may just seem like making people’s homes look fancy, and showing them around to people who are interested in buying, there are a number of licenses and regulations that must be adhered to depending on the state you work in. In Nevada you are required to get 90 days of real estate education, and most of it can be done online. It also comes with no guarantees. You have to pass exams first, and they’re not easy as they cover a lot of topics and skill sets. This book learning also won’t prepare you for the real world and it’s likely you’ll need to find a reputable broker to help you get listings and assist you in finding your feet. Truthfully, it’s not that easy to just become a realtor. It takes drive and motivation to compete in this industry.

Being Your Own Boss

While it sounds like being your own boss is the best thing in the world, which it is, sometimes it has its own pitfalls. After all, the buck stops here. When you run your own company there’s no one to blame but you if something goes wrong. If sales are falling flat and you can’t seem to get any new clients, there’s really no one in line to fire or throw accusations at but yourself. This is partly where work ethic and self-motivation come in. You’ve got to take responsibility for your failures, learn from them, and move on. You’re also in charge of everything from marketing to networking to managing the needs of your office. It’s a lot to take on as a new business owner and just getting your feet wet.

Flexibility

Flexible schedules aren’t always that flexible. Home showings can sometimes come at awkward times of the day. Dinner and drinks with a major client could interrupt that soccer game you were supposed to go to. While sleeping in or taking a day off may be in the cards some of the time, on occasion there may be some pressing business that needs to be attended to that throws the rest of your schedule out of whack. After all, most of your clients aren’t working when you are and vice versa. It’s likely your weekends are the times your buyers will be more available to see a home. I would say don’t think of your schedule as a blank day planner, think of it as one that requires finesse to make sure there’s plenty of space for off time.

Somewhat Risky

Real Estate can be a risky endeavor. Diving into real estate is mostly unpredictable because for a number of folks it’s a new career, be it a first career, a change of career, or frankly something to do on the side of an existing career. The hardest part of making the change is not knowing if you’re going to be any good at it. The biggest obstacle is that you really won’t know until you try it. What if you just don’t have what it takes? What if you decide that after spending all your money that it’s just not right for you? These are the initial questions every realtor faces at the beginning of their career. But if you stick with it, keep your feet on the ground, hopefully, with the right broker and support team, you’ll start to see progress in the form of listings. Maybe even after showing your worth and work ethic, you’ll turn a profit.

So, as you can see there’s a lot that goes into becoming a real estate agent. It’s not for everybody but it is a rewarding career. Handing over the keys to a homeowner’s new castle is one of the biggest rewards agents can have. Just remember to do the required training or your career in real estate may be one fraught with peril, also one fraught with peril if you don’t take your training to heart. Have a solid work ethic, be self-motivated and honest, and you’ll enjoy the process of helping people find or sell their home.